McGregor calling for calm heads in title race

CALLUM McGregor has urged his Celtic colleagues to keep cool heads as they bid to avenge their recent Scottish Cup semi-final defeat by Rangers on Sunday and place one hand on the cinch Premiership trophy.

The final Glasgow derby takes place at Parkhead on Sunday, just a fortnight after the Ibrox side edged out the Hoops 2-1 following extra-time in the last-four showdown at Hampden.

Celtic, however, have a chance to banish that disappointment as victory on Sunday would take them nine points clear of their city rivals with a superior goal difference and only three games to play.

Asked if the Hoops players already viewed themselves as title winners, captain McGregor cautioned: “No, no. We can’t think like that or speak like that. We understand there’s a few games to go and we understand the meaning of the game at the weekend.

“We can take a huge step towards it if we perform well and get a victory. That’s the full focus. The reason we’ve been successful is we’ve taken each game as it’s come and given 100% in that game. That’s what we’ll do at the weekend.

“Obviously it’s a huge game. But we also have to stay calm and commit to the way we want to play. We didn’t do ourselves justice in the semi-final, so it’s as much about trying to rectify that. If we do that and put in a strong performance, everyone else will have a great day.”